As a new driver in the Rochester Hills, MI area, staying safe on the road should be your top priority.

Here are some essential, safe driving tips for new drivers from us at Guy Hurley McNeil to help you stay safe and avoid accidents: 

1. Follow the speed limit – Stick to the posted speed limits, especially in residential and school zones. Speeding is one of the leading causes of car accidents, so obeying the law is essential. 

2. Avoid distractions – Put away your cell phone while driving and stay focused on the road. Distractions such as talking or texting on your phone can take your attention away from driving, leading to an accident. 

3. Wear your seatbelt – Always wear your seatbelt when driving, as it will significantly reduce the risk of injury or death in an accident. 

4. Pay attention to other drivers – Be aware of what other drivers are doing and give them plenty of space to maneuver safely. This can help you anticipate their actions and avoid potential accidents. 

5. Drive defensively – Always drive defensively by not assuming other drivers will always follow the rules of the road or drive safely all the time. Being proactive and taking extra precautions when on the roads can help keep you and others safer driving. 

By following these tips, you should be able to stay safer while out on the roads as a new driver! For more tips, give us at Guy Hurley McNeil a call today. We are proud to serve the Rochester Hills, MI area and would be happy to help you find an insurance policy to meet your needs and budget.

In the summer of 2020, Michigan lawmakers passed bills aimed at auto insurance reform. This bill was designed to change the way the no-fault laws operated in Michigan regarding auto insurance and help residents of Michigan save on their auto insurance policies. Some of the reform went into place immediately in 2020, while other bits of the reform were slowly rolled out and went into effect a year later in 2021. To this day, many Michigan residents are not fully aware of the auto insurance reform and how it impacts their auto insurance. As we at Guy Hurley McNeil, auto insurance providers in the greater Rochester Hills, MI region, explain more about auto insurance reform in Michigan. 

Why Was There a Push for Auto Insurance Reform? 

The state of Michigan had the highest auto insurance costs in the nation, costing Michigan drivers a lot of money. A lot of the reason for these high costs is that insurance providers were subject to paying out high expenses in catastrophic accidents that resulted in major injuries. The theory was that insurance companies could reduce auto insurance premiums by reforming what insurance companies had to pay for in accidents and placing limits on payouts. 

Did Auto Insurance Reform Work? 

Auto insurance reform has caused the cost of auto insurance policies to drop by about 20 percent in Michigan since the reform happened. However, auto insurance policies are now very complex in the state of Michigan, and there is a lot of complexity about billing and what insurance companies have to cover, and at what expense. As such, insurance rates have not dropped as much as state lawmakers had hoped. 

Auto insurance reform has led to consumers having many questions about their auto insurance policies. If you have questions about your policy or are in the market for a new policy, the team at Guy Hurley McNeil, serving the greater Rochester Hills, MI area, would love to help you. Contact us today to get started. 

It’s no secret that car insurance can be expensive. But how much do you need? How can you get the best rates? In this blog post, we’ll answer all of those questions and more. We’ll help you determine how much car insurance you need, learn about the factors that affect rates and find ways to save money on your premiums. So whether you’re shopping for car insurance for the first time or just looking to save a few bucks, read on for tips and advice that will help you get the coverage you need at a price you can afford.

Let’s talk about how to determine how much car insurance you need. The first thing to remember is that there is no one-size-fits-all answer here. Every driver has unique needs and circumstances, and the coverage you need will depend on several factors, including where you live, how much you drive, and the type of car you own.

One helpful rule of thumb is considering the combined value of your home, property, and car. If it exceeds a certain amount (for example, $100,000), you’ll likely need more extensive coverage to protect yourself in case of an accident or other loss.

Another critical factor to consider is your record as a driver. If you have a history of accidents or moving violations, insurance companies may consider you a higher risk – and that means you’ll likely have to pay more for coverage. On the other hand, if you have a clean driving record, you may qualify for lower rates.

If you have any questions or want to explore your options, please give us at Guy Hurley McNeil a call today. We proudly serve the Rochester Hills, MI area.

Getting auto insurance coverage is one of the most important things you need to do as a vehicle owner. It’s important to do your research to understand auto insurance and choose the right policy.

At Guy Hurley McNeil, we offer auto insurance coverage to motorists in the Rochester Hills, MI area. The following are three things you should know about auto insurance as a Michigan driver.

Liability coverage on your auto insurance policy is required by law.

The most important reason why you need auto insurance is that it is required by law so that you can drive legally.

You must carry liability coverage to meet the requirements of your state’s DMV requirements. Failing to carry the liability coverage required in your state can lead to severe penalties. 

Your driving record can impact your auto insurance costs.

If you want to save money on your auto insurance, you should focus on avoiding driving infractions. If you have a lot of infractions, such as speeding tickets and moving violations, on your record, you can expect auto insurance to be more expensive. 

A higher deductible can reduce your premium costs.

Motorists need to understand the relationship between deductible amounts and premium costs on auto insurance policies.

If you choose a higher deductible, you’ll have to pay more to get coverage if you need to file a claim. However, you’ll also generally enjoy lower monthly premiums if you choose a higher deductible. A lower deductible amount usually means higher monthly premium costs. 

Contact us at Guy Hurley McNeil to learn more about auto insurance. We can help you meet your auto insurance needs in Rochester Hills, MI.

Auto insurance is a necessary component for driving in Rochester Hills, MI. The lack of insurance is a misdemeanor in the state, which means you could be fined, go to jail, or lose your license. So, you must obtain a policy immediately. Here are the minimum liability levels.

Michigan Injury Liability Coverage

According to the Guy Hurley McNeil Agency, you need bodily liability insurance to cover claims against you for injuries related to an auto accident. Minimal coverage must equal $250,000 or more for each individual. In addition, it has to cover $500,000 per accident. If you don’t make a selection during the initial signup process, the insurance agency defaults to the limits of $250,000/$500,000.

Under Michigan law, you have the choice to select lower bodily liability limits as long as you sign a form understanding the consequences. However, if you injure someone in Rochester Hills, MI, or another area in the state, you could face seizure of assets and the garnishment of your wages. 

Michigan Collision Liability Coverage

Michigan doesn’t require drivers to have collision coverage in their auto insurance policy. Thus, the following could occur if you decline to purchase the liability package:

1. Repairs are out-of-pocket when you get into a single-person accident (you’re the only party involved).
2. If another vehicle causes an accident, you only receive $1,100 toward repairs as part of a mini-tort. 

For these reasons, adding collision liability coverage is recommended to keep your car on the road.

Do you have further questions related to Michigan’s auto insurance minimums? If so, reach out to the Guy Hurley McNeil team for more information.